European Red List of Habitats - Coastal Habitat Group

B1.6a Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune scrub

SummaryThis habitat includes a wide diversity of scrub types dominated by low to tall shrubs on stabilised dry dunesands and in wet dune slacks along the Atlantic and Baltic coasts, most extensively on the north Frenchand North Sea coasts. The composition and structure vary according to regional climate and groundconditions with dry dunes tending to support taller and more species-rich vegetation. It provides shelterand food for birds and is part of a dynamic dune succession but its spread over more open dunegrasslands is itself seen as a threat in some places. Further succession to dune woodland, eutrophicationand spread of nitrophilous weeds and destruction for coastal development all endanger this habitat butoverall its situation is of least concern.

SynthesisAs the habitat type is widely distributed and has a stable trend in quantity and a slightly negative trend inquality, the habitat is assessed as Least Concern.

Overall Category & CriteriaEU 28 EU 28+

Red List Category Red List Criteria Red List Category Red List CriteriaLeast Concern - Least Concern -

Sub-habitat types that may require further examinationThe habitat is broadly defined and several sub-habitats may be distinguished. A main further split would bein a dune scrub on dry soil, dominated by thorn shrubs, and one in moist or wet dune slacks, beingdominated mainly by Salix species.

Habitat TypeCode and nameB1.6a Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune scrub

Dry dune scrub with Hippophae rhamnoides, Ligustrum vulgare and Lonicerapericlymenum in dry dune area close to the Hague, Netherlands. (Photo: JoopSchaminée).

Patch of Salix atrocinerea dominated scrub in a seepage at the foot of Dune duPilat, France, the highest dune in Europe. (Photo: John Janssen).

Habitat descriptionA broad habitat type, covering more or less all low to high scrub in dry dunes and wet dune slacks in theBaltic and Atlantic coastal regions. The species composition differs over climatic regions. In north-westernEurope and the southern Baltic Hippophae rhamnoides and Salix repens ssp. arenarius are mainly

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dominating in dry dunes, while Ulex europaeus, Cytisus scoparius and Rubus ulmifolius are importantspecies in dry dunes of the warmer parts of the Atlantic coasts. In wet dune slacks, typically Salix scrub isfound, especially Salix repens, Salix cinerea, Salix atrocinerea and Salix rosmarinifolius. In the Baltic regionSalix repens ssp. arenarius and Salix rosmarinifolius grow together with boreal heather species, whilealong the Portuguese coast in wet dunes Salix repens and Salix atrocinerea are accompanied by someAtlantic-Mediterranean species, like Scirpus holoschoenus. Salix repens ssp. arenarius is found in drierparts of the dunes as well. In mesic dune slacks it is typically accompanied by Monotropa hypopitys, livingsaprophytic on Salix-specific ectomycorrhizal fungi, and by Pyrola minor and Pyrola rotundifolia, formingthe association Pyrolo-Salicetum. This association is known for many rare fungi, of which some live insymbiosis with Salix repens. Very low Salix repens-scrub (mowed or grazed) forming a component in fen orgrassland communities is not included in this habitat, but considered under dune slacks (B1.8a) or dunegrasslands (B1.4a). The same goes for relatively low scrub of Rosa spinosissima (sometimes known as R.pimpinellifolia), forming a component of grasslands.

The habitat is especially well developed in dry, calcium-rich dunes, where it reaches several meters ofheight and may form a dense formation, relatively rich in shrub species. Besides the already mentionedspecies Rhamnus cathartica, Ligustrum vulgare, Berberis vulgaris, Euonymus europaeus, Sambucus nigra,Crataegus monogyna and several species of Rosa and Rubus contribute to the biodiversity. The manyberries produced by the shrubs play an important role as a food source for birds, especially during themigrating season in late summer and autumn. A typical accompanying species is the climbing Bryoniacretica.

The dune shrublands have been classified in the order Salicetalia arenariae, in which three alliances aredistinguished: Salicion arenariae, Ligustro-Hippophaeion, and Holoschoeno australis-Salicion arenariae, thelatter being restricted to the warmest parts of the Atlantic coast. Additional the communities of Salixcinerea (alliance Salicion cinereae.) are included in the habitat. The Pyrolo-Salicetum is sometimesclassified in the Empetrion nigri.

In some places also Juniperus species form coastal scrub. Juniperus communis is known from temperatecoasts, for example calcareous dunes of north-western Jutland. In the Mediterranean coasts several otherJuniperus species are found, and some of them northwards reach the warmer Atlantic dunes.

Indicators of good quality:

Dense and high structure of scrub●

Diversity in shrub species●

Absence of non-native species, like Rosa rugosa, Eleagnos spp., Cornus spp., ...●

Low cover of trees●

Presence of breeding birds●

Food supply for migrating birds in autumn●

Presence of rare fungi●

In some parts of the range (for example England) dune shrubs have been planted and form a threat todune grasslands and other more species-rich habitats.

Characteristic species:

Flora: Berberis vulgaris, Calamagrostis epigejos, Carex arenaria, Cornus sanguineus, Crataegus monogyna,Cytisus scoparius, Euonymus europaeus, Hippophae rhamnoides, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare,Monotropa hypopitys, Pyrola minor, Pyrola rotundifolia, Rhamnus catharticus, Rosa rubiginosa, Rosaspinosissima, Rubus thallasarctos, Rubus caesius, Rubus ulmifolius, Salix cinerea, Salix repens ssp.arenarius, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus

Birds: Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)

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ClassificationThis habitat may be equivalent to, or broader than, or narrower than the habitats or ecosystems in thefollowing typologies.

EUNIS:

B1.6 Coastal dune scrub

EuroVegChecklist:

Salicion arenariae Tx. ex Passarge in Scamoni 1963

Ligustro-Hippophaeion Géhu et Géhu-Franck 1983

Holoschoeno australis-Salicion arenariae Neto et al. 2004 ?

Salicion cinereae T. Müller et Görs ex Passarge 1961

Empetrion nigri Schubert ex Westhoff et Den Held 1969 (association Pyrolo-Salicetum)

Annex I:

2160 Dunes with Hippophae rhamnoides

2170 Dunes with Salix repens ssp. argentea (Salicion arenariae)

Emerald:

B1.6 Coastal dune scrub

MAES-2:

Heathland and shrub

IUCN:

13.3 Coastal Sand Dunes

Does the habitat type present an outstanding example of typical characteristics of oneor more biogeographic regions?Yes

RegionsAtlantic

JustificationThe habitat is best represented, both in area and diversity, in the relatively broad dune systems of theAtlantic coast.

Geographic occurrence and trends

EU 28 Present or PresenceUncertain

Current area ofhabitat

Recent trend inquantity (last 50 yrs)

Recent trend inquality (last 50 yrs)

Belgium Present 7.2 Km2 Increasing StableDenmark Present 15 Km2 Decreasing UnknownEstonia Present Unknown Km2 Unknown Stable

FinlandAland Islands: Uncertain

Finland mainland:Present

1 Km2 Unknown Unknown

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EU 28 Present or PresenceUncertain

Current area ofhabitat

Recent trend inquantity (last 50 yrs)

Recent trend inquality (last 50 yrs)

France France mainland:Present 90 Km2 Increasing Stable

Germany Present 5 Km2 Increasing DecreasingIreland Present 3.4 Km2 Increasing UnknownLatvia Present 0.7 Km2 Stable DecreasingLithuania Present 1 Km2 Decreasing StableNetherlands Present 95 Km2 Increasing StablePoland Present 0.5 Km2 Decreasing Decreasing

Portugal Portugal mainland:Present 2 Km2 Decreasing Decreasing

Spain Spain mainland: Present 0.1 Km2 Decreasing DecreasingSweden Present 1 Km2 Unknown Decreasing

UK Northern Island: PresentUnited Kingdom: Present 8.8 Km2 Unknown Decreasing

EU 28 + Present or PresenceUncertain

Current area ofhabitat

Recent trend inquantity (last 50 yrs)

Recent trend inquality (last 50 yrs)

Guernsey Uncertain Unknown Km2 Unknown UnknownJersey Uncertain Unknown Km2 Unknown UnknownKaliningrad Uncertain Unknown Km2 Unknown Unknown

Norway Norway Mainland:Present Unknown Km2 Unknown Unknown

Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area Extent of Occurrence (EOO) Area of Occupancy (AOO) Current estimated Total Area Comment

EU 28 2536250 Km2 626 231 Km2

EU 28+ 2611550 Km2 630 231 Km2

Distribution map

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The map is rather complete, with maybe some gaps in the Baltic region. Data sources: Art17, EVA.

How much of the current distribution of the habitat type lies within the EU 28?95% of the habitat type is within the EU28.

Trends in quantityDifferent countries report very different trends. The countries with the largest area (France, Netherlands,Belgium) report a positive trend, mainly caused by expansion of Hippophae rhamnoides scrub. Denmarkhowever, reports a stronge decrease. Also many of the countries with small extents reported a decrease ofthe quantity. On average the trend is more or less stable. The data does not include figures from outsidethe EU28.

Average current trend in quantity (extent)●

EU 28: StableEU 28+: StableDoes the habitat type have a small natural range following regression?●

NoJustificationThe habitat is found everywhere along the coasts of the Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.Does the habitat have a small natural range by reason of its intrinsically restricted area?●

NoJustificationWithin dune systems the area of dune scrub varies from being rather limited to occupying large areas.

Trends in qualityThe countries with largest occurrences report stable trends in quality, but on average the trend is slightly

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negative. Only 7% of the total area has a declined quality.

Average current trend in quality●

EU 28: DecreasingEU 28+: Decreasing

Pressures and threats

Most important threats to this habitat, besides destruction by urbanisation (Spain), are (1) successiontowards forest, (2) expansion of alien species, like Rosa rugosa and Prunus serotina, (3) intensification ofagricultural practices, including overgrazing, and (4) trampling by recreation and outdoor activities. Forwet examples of the habitat changes in hydraulic conditions cause deterioration. Finally atmosfericdeposition may be a problem for the habitat, but - on the other hand - the shrubs may profit from it aswell, by overgrowing dune grasslands. Notable is that the characteristic species Hippophae rhamnoides isconsidered as a non-native problematic species in large parts of the UK.

List of pressures and threatsAgriculture

Agricultural intensification

Human intrusions and disturbancesOutdoor sports and leisure activities, recreational activities

Invasive, other problematic species and genesInvasive non-native species

Natural System modificationsHuman induced changes in hydraulic conditions

Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)Species composition change (succession)

Conservation and management

Along the Atlantic coast, in the larger dune areas, expansion of the habitat is considered a threat to other,more open and more species-rich habitats, like dune grasslands and dune slacks. This is especially thecase in large parts of the UK, where Hippophae rhamnoides is considered as a non-native species. On theother hand the habitat has an important function for animals, by providing food (berries) and shelter. Inoptimal situations there is a balance between dynamic conditions causing rejuvenation of dunes andsuccession towards dune scrub and forest, and no specific management is needed. Many dune areashowever are relatively small and often the focus of management will be on the more open habitats, whichmay be maintained by extensive grazing. In such cases the preservation of at least some patches ofshrubland is important and will increase the overall diversity and species-richness of the dunes.

Specific measures relate to the removal of invasive non-native species, which are able to dominate duneshrublands.

List of conservation and management needsMeasures related to hunting, taking and fishing and species management

Specific single species or species group management measures

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Conservation statusAnnex I:

2160: ATL FV, CON U2

When severely damaged, does the habitat retain the capacity to recover its typicalcharacter and functionality?The habitat can spontaneously restore when dunes stabilise. Succession towards shrubland can occurwithin short periods (10-20 years).

Effort required10 years 20 yearsNaturally Naturally

Red List Assessment

Criterion A: Reduction in quantityCriterion A A1 A2a A2b A3

EU 28 0 % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown %EU 28+ 0 % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown %

The trend in area in the last ca. 50 years is more or less stable, ranging from -1.6% to +3.7% when usingminimum and maximum reported values. Therefore the habitat is assessed as Least Concern undercriterion A1. No data on future trends are available, while long historical trends have been reported foronly 13% of the present area.

Criterion B: Restricted geographic distribution

Criterion BB1 B2

B3EOO a b c AOO a b c

EU 28 253,625 Km2 No No No 626 No No No NoEU 28+ 261,155 Km2 No No No 630 No No No No

The AOO and EOO are both much larger than the thresholds for the criteria B1 and B2, there isno continuous decline or future threat, and also the number of locations is very high. These figures lead tothe category Least Concern for criterion B.

Criterion C and D: Reduction in abiotic and/or biotic quality

CriteriaC/D

C/D1 C/D2 C/D3Extent

affectedRelativeseverity Extent affected Relative

severity Extent affected Relativeseverity

EU 28 7 % 32 % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown %EU 28+ 7 % 32 % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown %

Criterion CC1 C2 C3

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

EU 28 Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown %EU 28+ Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown % Unknown %

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Criterion DD1 D2 D3

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

EU 28 Unknown % Unknown% Unknown % Unknown% Unknown % Unknown%EU 28+ Unknown % Unknown% Unknown % Unknown% Unknown % Unknown%

In the last 50 years the negatively affected extent of this habitat is very small, less than 10%. Within thisarea the severity of quality decrease is slight to moderate. There is no historic information about thereduction in quality or in the future. Thus this habitat is assessed as Least Concern under criteria C/D.

Criterion E: Quantitative analysis to evaluate risk of habitat collapseCriterion E Probability of collapse

EU 28 UnknownEU 28+ Unknown

There is no quantitative analysis available that estimates the probability of collapse of this habitat type.Thus, this habitat is assessed as Data Deficient under criterion E.

Overall assessment "Balance sheet" for EU 28 and EU 28+ A1 A2a A2b A3 B1 B2 B3 C/D1 C/D2 C/D3 C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3 E

EU28 LC DD DD DD LC LC LC LC DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDEU28+ LC DD DD DD LC LC LC LC DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD

Overall Category & CriteriaEU 28 EU 28+

Red List Category Red List Criteria Red List Category Red List CriteriaLeast Concern - Least Concern -

Confidence in the assessmentMedium (evenly split between quantitative data/literature and uncertain data sources and assured expertknowledge)

AssessorsJ. Janssen

ContributorsHabitat definition: J. Janssen

Territorial data: F. Bioret, J. Campos, J. Capelo, F. Devaney, D. Espírito-Santo, P. Finck, T. Haynes, A.Jacobson, J. Janssen, Z. Kącki, T. Kontula, B. Nygaard, S. Provoost, V. Rašomavičius, U. Raths, S. Rees, U.Riecken, E. Roosaluste, I. Rove, A. Ssymank, E. Weeda

Working Group Coastal: A. Acosta, F. Bioret, H. Gardfjell, J. Janssen, J. Loidi, R. Tzonev

ReviewersA. Nieto

Date of assessment06/11/2015

Date of review09/03/2016

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References

Boerboom, J.H.A. 1960. De plantengemeenschappen van de Wassenaarse Duinen. PhD ThesisLandbouwhogeschool Wageningen.

Delelis-Dussollier, A. and Géhu, J.H. 1974. Apport à la connaissance phytosociologique de fourrésd'argousier du littoral français de la Mer du Nord et de la Manche. Documents Phytosociologique 6: 27-42.

Géhu, J.M. and Géhu, J. 1979. Presentation synthetique des fourres littoraux antlantiques. Colloquesphytosociologoques VII: 247-354.

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